2019 Kia Sportage For Europe Gets A Light Refresh, Mild-Hybrid Powertrains

Last week, Kia announced a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system that would be paired up with a diesel engine to improve performance and emissions. The first model will be the European-market Sportage. Today, Kia has unveiled a lightly refreshed Sportage with minor updates and more information on the mild-hybrid system.

Exterior changes are quite small with new bumpers and headlights. The top GT-Line comes with new chrome trim and metallic skid plates. Inside, Kia has fitted a new steering wheel and instrument cluster. For safety, the 2019 Sportage gets Kia's Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, around-view camera system, and a driver attention warning.

As for the mild-hybrid powertrain, it will come paired with a 2.0L ‘R’ diesel four-cylinder. No power figures or fuel economy figures were provided by Kia. The company also announced a new 1.6L diesel that will take the place of the 1.7. 

Kia will launch the 2019 Sportage in Europe in the next quarter. We're expecting Kia to do something similar to the U.S. Sportage, minus the diesel mild-hybrid engine. But it should be noted that Kia is working on a mild-hybrid system for gas engines, so our updated Sportage could have a mild-hybrid powertrain of its own.

Source: Kia

KIA UNVEILS NEW SPORTAGE WITH DIESEL MILD-HYBRID POWERTRAIN, NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND FRESH DESIGN
Wednesday, 23 May 2018

• Updated interior and exterior design for UK and global best-seller
• Revised powertrain line-up includes EcoDynamics+ 2.0-litre diesel mild-hybrid and efficient new 1.6-litre ‘U3’ diesel
• EcoDynamics+ powertrain reduces CO2 emissions by up to four per cent under WLTP
• New technologies include upgraded infotainment and active driver aids
• On-sale in Europe during Q3 2018

Kia Motors has revealed the New Kia Sportage, introducing a range of enhancements to the brand’s UK, European and global best-seller. The new model pairs an updated exterior and interior design with new safety and infotainment technologies. Powertrains are also fully-compliant with future emissions standards.

The Sportage’s advanced new EcoDynamic+ 48V diesel mild-hybrid powertrain is the first to be launched as part of the brand’s global powertrain electrification strategy. Kia is the first manufacturer to offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology across its full model line-up. Kia will launch 16 advanced powertrain vehicles by 2025, including five new hybrids, five plug-in hybrids, five battery-electric vehicles and, in 2020, a new fuel-cell electric vehicle.

Kia sold more than 131,000 examples of the Sportage in 2017, representing a quarter of the brand’s total European sales. In the UK, the Sportage continues to be the brand’s biggest seller with 39,683 delivered to customers in 2017, making up over a third of UK sales last year. Updates to the Sportage range also include modifications to ‘GT-Line’ models. European customer deliveries of the new model will start during Q3 2018.

Upgraded powertrains include new EcoDynamics+ diesel mild-hybrid

The Sportage now offers a wider range of engines, including Kia’s new ‘EcoDynamics+’ 2.0-litre ‘R’ diesel mild-hybrid powertrain. EcoDynamics+ supplements acceleration with power from a 48-volt battery, and extends engine ‘off time’ with a new Mild-Hybrid Starter-Generator unit. It can reduce CO2 emissions by up to four per cent on the Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP).

The Sportage’s existing 1.7-litre CRDi (Common-Rail Direct injection) diesel engine has been replaced with Kia’s efficient new 1.6-litre ‘U3’ CRDi engine, the cleanest diesel engine Kia has ever made. The new 1.6-litre diesel engine produces 115 or 136ps, with higher-powered models available with all-wheel drive and seven-speed double-clutch transmission.

All powertrains are now fully compliant with the Euro 6d TEMP emissions standards.

Updates to attractive Kia SUV design

Improvements to the Sportage’s sporty exterior design include new front and rear bumpers, as well as redesigned front and rear lamps and new 16-, 17- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs. Options include chrome sill trim and metallic skid plates, and five new paint colours.

‘GT-Line’ models are equipped with a gloss black hot-stamped radiator grille, a gloss black and silver skid plate, and dark chrome inserts on the side sills and rear tailgate. The GT-Line’s unique 19-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned, and all models are fitted with a dual exhaust rear valance and revised ‘ice cube’ LED fog lamp designs.

The newly-refined cabin features a new steering wheel and revised instrument cluster, as well as new black-and-grey two-tone upholstery. ‘GT-Line’ models are available with new black-and-grey two-tone leather seats, or optional black leather with red accents.

Smart safety technologies and new infotainment systems

The new Sportage adopts Kia’s latest advanced driving assistance systems, including Smart Cruise Control with Stop&Go, an Around View Monitor for easier parking manoeuvres, and Driver Attention Warning, to combat fatigue and inattentiveness at the wheel. European customers have a choice of Kia’s new infotainment systems: a 7.0-inch touchscreen, or a new ‘frameless’ 8.0-inch infotainment system.

UK on-sale date, pricing and specification will be announced in due course.